During Indian Wells, the Italian tested positive for low levels of clostebol, a steroid that can be used to build muscle mass.
Low amounts of the same metabolite were also detected in a second sample that was collected eight days later.
Sinner successfully contested the automatic application of a provisional suspension, allowing him to resume play.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) discovered that Sinner’s physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, had unintentionally exposed him to the material.
After treating a cut on his own hand with an over-the-counter spray that is available in Italy, Naldi treated Sinner.
The explanation and the fact that the infraction was unintentional were accepted by the ITIA.
Sinner will forfeit the ranking points and prize money from his Indian Wells semifinal run, despite being exonerated of any fault or negligence by an impartial panel last week.
Sinner released a statement saying, “I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me.”
I’ll keep doing everything in my power to make sure I abide by the ITIA’s anti-doping policy going forward.
